Roll of Honor
James F. Duffin
Incident
Police Officer James Duffin was struck and killed by a drunk driver during a traffic stop on Limekiln Pike near Ridley Street. Officer Duffin and his partner, Police Officer John Reid, witnessed a vehicle make an illegal turn. As both officers were speaking to the driver with the vehicle's front door open, they were struck by an oncoming vehicle. Officer Duffin was dragged over 50 feet by the car and died at the scene. Due to the impact, Officer Reid was thrown and suffered a fractured skull. He underwent multiple surgeries to treat his head injuries and succumbed to his injuries seven years later. The drunk driver was arrested and charged in connection with the incident. The 30-year-old man had been driving without a license since he was 14 when he was convicted of DWI. He was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and DWI and sentenced to 6 to 12 months in the county jail. Two years later, he was convicted of his 3rd DWI and sentenced to one to 2 years. Officer Duffin was a United States Navy veteran who had served with the Philadelphia Police Department for 6 years and received four commendations and six letters of commendation.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-54D1CCE5- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Police Officer Duffin gave the Philadelphia Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
James F. Duffin served in the Navy (1958â1962) before joining law enforcement.
Police Officer James F. Duffin is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 6.9 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Philadelphia Police Department, 162 of 378 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James F. Duffin's cause is highlighted.
How James F. Duffin Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 1 year
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James F. Duffin is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James F. Duffin was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
377 officers from Philadelphia Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
